Last edit by: beltway
How do I make a booking using a free-night cert?
Follow these steps:
Can I exchange a soon-to-expire free-night cert for points? Extend its expiration? What if the cert has already expired?- Check the "Use points" box when conducting your search for availability. You can also filter search results by category.
- Select a property from the search results and click "Continue" to view available rooms.
- On the property-specific page, you will see several tabs at the top for various rate categories. You should automatically see award rooms; if not, click "Rewards Points" on the tab at top left.
- Select a room.
- On the reservation confirmation page, under "Choose room features," you should see a highlighted box with a note that "You have eligible e-certificates that match your reservation." Underneath that box will be radio buttons allowing you to attach your cert(s) or, in the alternative, to use points.
Marriott Rewards customer service will normally extend an unexpired free-night cert by one year from the date of the request. (Some members have encountered resistance, especially if they have canceled the associated Chase card; if this happens, hang up and call again later.) Each cert may be extended only once.
We have no reports of Marriott allowing certs to be redeemed for points, nor any reports of Marriott allowing expired certs to be revived/extended.
If I cancel my card after the annual free-night cert has posted, will I lose the cert?We have no reports of Marriott allowing certs to be redeemed for points, nor any reports of Marriott allowing expired certs to be revived/extended.
No. Once a cert is in your Marriott account, it will not be clawed back even if you cancel your card to avoid paying the annual fee.
Chase Free Night Certificate - Pre-Aug 2018
#61
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Salt Lake City
Programs: Delta, Hertz, Hilton, Marriott
Posts: 4,921
delete
Last edited by tmorse6570; Sep 12, 2007 at 11:52 pm
#62
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
Programs: United Silver; AA Plat/2MM; Marriott LT Titanium; IHG Plat; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 11,721
Haven't really tried it with someone that doesn't have the same last name as I do though. And again, I would guess that technically the hotel could have decided that my wife should not be able to use the cert that had my name on it and made her pay whatever the prevailing rate was.
Now with the certs becoming e-certs, I'm not sure how that will effect their use. But I suspect that if the hotel will let my wife check-in as if it were me checking in, then her stay, without me there, could have the e-cert pulled from my account. But that is a guess.
#63
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Ventura, CA
Programs: WN, AA, HHonors Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 154
And here I thought I hadn't even been issued my free night yet! I didn't receive ANYTHING saying that my free night was available, not via email OR snail mail -- nada. When I checked my account, there it is, but in a very weird place - the "debit" column! At first I thought I needed to call them to say, "Hey! I didn't even know I had it, and now you've taken it away!" But then I saw that it was unused. Also, I didn't even get my card until early April, but the free night cert. was issued on March 8 - ???
To me, this is a HUGE disappointment re: the way Marriott is handling it, particularly in the no-notification dept. Do they really have to be that sneaky, to issue a certificate for a free night, don't tell you it's there, and then hope you don't find it until it's expired? Jeez.
To me, this is a HUGE disappointment re: the way Marriott is handling it, particularly in the no-notification dept. Do they really have to be that sneaky, to issue a certificate for a free night, don't tell you it's there, and then hope you don't find it until it's expired? Jeez.
#64
Company Representative - Marriott Concierge
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Posts: 1,083
I am sorry for any inconvenience, AJSpark. We send out a buck slip via mail which states that the activation category 1-4 certificate was issued as an electronic certificate, so we do notify our members. I apologize if you did not receive this notification.
And here I thought I hadn't even been issued my free night yet! I didn't receive ANYTHING saying that my free night was available, not via email OR snail mail -- nada. When I checked my account, there it is, but in a very weird place - the "debit" column! At first I thought I needed to call them to say, "Hey! I didn't even know I had it, and now you've taken it away!" But then I saw that it was unused. Also, I didn't even get my card until early April, but the free night cert. was issued on March 8 - ???
To me, this is a HUGE disappointment re: the way Marriott is handling it, particularly in the no-notification dept. Do they really have to be that sneaky, to issue a certificate for a free night, don't tell you it's there, and then hope you don't find it until it's expired? Jeez.
To me, this is a HUGE disappointment re: the way Marriott is handling it, particularly in the no-notification dept. Do they really have to be that sneaky, to issue a certificate for a free night, don't tell you it's there, and then hope you don't find it until it's expired? Jeez.
#65
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Reno, NV (RNO)
Programs: AA Platinum, AS, UA, DL, HHonors Gold, Marriott LTP, Hyatt, IHG Platinum
Posts: 4,707
Chris, Mrs. MileKing received the "buck slip" with her new Marriott VISA credit card. However, it is a generic note which only states the cert has been issued electronically. In her on-line account, there is no mention of a E-cert # so it appears the only way to apply the cert is to call reservations, have them locate the E-cert #, and then apply it. In our case, the rep was not able to apply the cert to our existing award reservation and told us to take the cert # to the hotel and they will apply at check-in. Do the reps need to do anything special to apply the cert to an existing reservation?
#66
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AA EXP, Mariott Plat
Posts: 45
It is definitely electronic now, but even the customer care people don't know this yet. One person had to put me on hold and check. Apparently it just started this week? Thats what she said to me on the phone, anyways.
#67
Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,286
Two weeks ago, I applied my e-certificate to an existing reservation via the phone. The process took about 90 seconds.
It seems to me that some people are trying to create a non-existent problem. The certificate is credited too fast, can't be misplaced and is too easy to use.
It seems to me that some people are trying to create a non-existent problem. The certificate is credited too fast, can't be misplaced and is too easy to use.
#68
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
Programs: United Silver; AA Plat/2MM; Marriott LT Titanium; IHG Plat; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 11,721
#69
Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,286
It is posted on the first screen of "Marriott Rewards Account Activity." Where should it be located to make it more intuitive?
#70
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
Programs: United Silver; AA Plat/2MM; Marriott LT Titanium; IHG Plat; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 11,721
I agree that if you know to check your online statement it isn't hard to see, but your making an assumption that everyone will periodically check their online account statements to see if they have received an e-cert. Considering that these certs have not be delivered via e-certs in the past, why would someone suddenly think to check online to see if they have it there?
#72
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA Plt SPG Plt
Posts: 176
If I want to book a 2-night stay, one night with points and one night using this visa e-cert, do I need to book each night separately or can it be booked together?
#73
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
Programs: United Silver; AA Plat/2MM; Marriott LT Titanium; IHG Plat; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 11,721
There shouldn't be any issue with making one reservation for two nights. But for this to work, you don't want the online reservation tool to order the award cert for you as it would pull the point needed for a 2 night award. You will need to call MR and have them order you a 1-night e-cert.
#74
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Potomac Falls, VA
Programs: AA Plat 2MM, MR Gold, Avis Pref
Posts: 41,109
Are these good for a solo nights stay during the week? or are they weekend only?
#75
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Charleston, SC, USA
Programs: Avis Pref+, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Life Gold, Honors Silver, IHG Plat via MC.
Posts: 6,786
Valid 7 days a week. ^